July 19, 2024
Staff Report
LAHORE
At least five people were killed and over 20 others injured when security forces opened fire on participants of a peace rally in Bannu on Friday. Thousands of people marched through the streets of the town in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, protesting against terrorism.
This number of casualties was confirmed by the Bannu police spokesperson, however, he later retracted and changed the number of dead to one.
The situation escalated as the protestors tried to enter the cantonment area. Security officials opened fire, leading to chaos and injuries. According to Bannu police spokesperson Muhammad Hanzala, “army personnel opened fire when protestors attempted to enter the Bannu cantonment.”
The spokesperson confirmed that at least 22 people sustained gunshot wounds and were transported to the hospital. Dr. Farooq, Medical Superintendent of Bannu Hospital, confirmed that minors aged 14-16 were among the injured. He also mentioned that a few people were wounded due to the stampede caused by the firing.
A Rescue 1122 official reported that the protestors destroyed an ambulance due to a delayed response.
Thousands of people had gathered in Bannu city centre to denounce the recent rise in terrorist activities in the city. Last week, eight military personnel were killed in an attack on Bannu cantonment. Security officials also killed 10 terrorists in a clearance operation following the attack.
Social media erupted with condemnation of the attack on the peace rally, with users commenting on videos showing a sea of men marching through the streets.
Afrasiab Khattak, former senator and peace activist, tweeted that the government has proved that it patronizes terrorism.
بنوں میں عظیم عوامی امن مارچ پر گولیاں چلا کر حکومت نے دہشتگردوں کا سرپرست ہونے کا ثبوت دیا ہے، گذشتہ پانچ سال سے پختونخوا کے عوام دہشت گردوں کی بحالی/آباد کاری کے خلاف مظاہرے کر رہے ہیں جس سے نئی ڈالری جنگ شروع کرنے میں رکاوٹ پڑ رہی ہے#StopStateTerrorism
— Afrasiab Khattak (@a_siab) July 19, 2024
Mohsin Dawar, ex-MNA from North Waziristan and Central Chairman National Democratic Movement, posted on X, “State terrorism is underway in Bannu. Security forces open fire on peaceful protestors, killing & injuring many.
They were protesting against the state sponsored ‘Project Taliban’ May the perpetrators of this atrocity be held accountable for their crimes against humanity.”
State terrorism is underway in Bannu. Security forces open fire on peaceful protestors, killing & injuring many. They were protesting against the state sponsored ‘Project Taliban' May the perpetrators of this atrocity be held accountable for their crimes against humanity. pic.twitter.com/beCLhd7CrR
— Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) July 19, 2024
Human rights activist and former parliamentarian Bushra Gohar questioned whether the prime minister or the chief minister will have the courage to take notice of the security forces’ attack on peaceful protesters.
Will the PM @PakPMO & CM @KPChiefMinister gather enough courage to take notice of the security forces attack on peaceful protesters in #Bannu? or Will fake cases be registered against the victims? In #BabarraMassacre victims families were forced to pay for the bullets.
— Bushra Gohar (@BushraGohar) July 19, 2024